Poland and Netherlands to renew rivalry at FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Marseille Stop 2024
MARSEILLE (France) - After their Olympic dreams were crushed, European powers the Netherlands and Poland will be out for a confidence boosting title at the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Marseille Stop 2024 on May 29-30.
Let's take a look at the second Women's Series event of the season.
The Favorites
The Netherlands and Poland have endured heartbreak so far in 2024 after they both fell agonizingly short of clinching an Olympic ticket to Paris.
Both teams will be on a mission in Marseille and are on a collision course in Pool B. The European heavyweights will face off just over a month since they played in the semis at the FIBA 3x3 Universality Olympic Qualifying Tournament 1 in Hong Kong.
Poland on that occasion won convincingly as they produced lockdown defense to shut down Netherlands star Noortje Driessen, who will be fired up to bounce back and she looms as one of the very best players in Marseille.
Poland were last year's runner-up at the event, where they were taken down by host France.
It's taken us too long to get to defending champs France, who have been resting up with an Olympic ticket automatically gifted to them after finishing in the top 3 in the ranking.
Myriam Djekoundade was an absolute force last year in Marseille and she returns with an eye on holding onto her crown.
Former World Cup champs Italy are always a contender and they've been in good form having impressed at the recent FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Debrecen.
Laura Spreafico will enter with swagger after putting up big numbers in Debrecen as she leads Italy's quest for early season glory.
The Field
Ukraine were also unable to win a ticket to Paris, but they had a standout player in Debrecen with towering Krystyna Filevych showcasing her long-range expertise as she continually splashed from deep.
Ukraine are in Pool A along with Gyor (HUN), who have plenty of talent including young sniper Orsolya Toth - the 23-year-old who loves delivering in the clutch.
Portugal also are a dark horse because their star Joana Soeiro is eye-catching every time she steps on the half-court. Soeiro has gone viral previously for her insane dance moves but, more importantly, she also turns heads through her deadly game marked by insane playmaking skills.
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Last but certainly not least, Puerto Rico are more than capable of a giant-killing run.
Their confidence stems from Mari Placido, who is unstoppable when she has her jumper going. But even if it's not, Placido can unleash insane dimes that are delivered with perfect precision.
Pools
Pool A: France, Gyor (HUN), Italy, Ukraine
Pool B: Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico
How to watch
The two-day extravaganza is on May 29-30 and you can follow it live on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube page.
FIBA
